events

Though there are lots of events already happening around the holidays, you can easily plan something fun and festive to get your clients in the holiday shopping mode.

This Week’s Tip – Host an event to get your clients in the spirit and mindset of buying, giving AND receiving. Now you may be thinking that it’s too late to plan a successful bash for the holidays, but I totally disagree. There is plenty of time to do something simple at your office or spa for your clients and prospects as well.

Here’s a few ideas right from some of my own past events:

Spread some holiday cheer by inviting your clients to a simple reception with you and your staff. Of course you’ll want to have some “event only” specials or features for retail products, gift certificates, booked appointments that are only good during the event. If you like, you can opt for a theme such as an Egg Nog Holiday Social or a Toys for Tots benefit where you ask every person to bring an unwrapped toy for a local children’s charity.

Take your event a step further and invite other complimentary businesses – that is people that seek and serve the same kind of clients you do – to take part. This could include any number of businesses including yoga studios, jewelers, travel agents, chiropractors, chocolatiers, bakeries, or health food stores among many other possibilities. Have each business cross promote the event to their clients as well and have each business donate a product or gift certificate to be given away in a drawing. People can drop a business card to enter, buy raffle tickets, get a chance for every gift certificate purchased and so on.

If your event is one that you charge people to attend, offering deeper values or providing them with a thank you gift can make them really feel like they got their money’s worth as well. Have plenty of supplies on hand for providing whatever services you are featuring and have plenty of gift bags ready to fill up with purchases made that day.

Be creative about what you decide to do and promote for your event. Take the time to do some basic planning and organizing so everything runs smoothly. Be sure you know everyone on your team knows what the sales goals are for the party and how you will each follow up with the guests afterward. And more important than anything else, make sure you and your employees are there to do whatever it takes for everyone – including all of you – to have a great time.